Cheerleader

My boss told me today that he saw the coolest video of male cheerleaders doing these "wicked stunts" where they would throw the girls into the air at amazing heights with amazing ease. Dude, male cheerleaders are not cool. They are weird. They look at the underside of girls' torsos all day. You were not cool in high school as you shouted to support a high school football team. You are not cool to talk about it now. Yuk.

"Apathy is not a choice"

Graduation speech given at UC Berkeley":

http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0519-23.htm

Ice Is Back with a Brand New Invention

Yes, the rumors are true. We are back from the city with two dads. And while I thought we would be back to play a little frisbee this morning, I find myself back in Logan working at The Trailhead. I forgot I was scheduled to work. Oh bother.
Anyway, I have a few observations and experiences to share about our stay in the City of Intimate Brotherly Love.

1) I probably heard just as many, if not more languages other than english spoken in San Fran. San Fran has been accepting people from China, Japan, Mexico, and everywhere else for almost two hundred years! When you go to Chinatown everything is in Cantonese, and everyone speaks Cantonese. When you go to Little Italy, signs are in Italian. I know I have taken the approach lately that immigrants need to integrate into society, learn English, and "become American" as soon as possible. I don't know if that really is the "American Way." In San Francisco (and New York also) they take the approach of "Come to America, and we'll accomodate you until you feel comfortable." Sometimes older immigrants never feel comfortable, and it takes the next generation to "become American" whatever that means. It seems THAT has been the true way of immigrants coming here for years. Since I grew up in Utah, where immigration is relatively small in numbers, I haven't seen the broader picture.

2) I've always wanted to live in a big city, at least for a year. I may still do that, but my desire to do so may be waning. San Francisco is a great city for architecture, art, things to see, public works and such. Once the novelty of all that wears off it's really just a big concrete hive that's a haven for alternative lifestyles, and fashionable single life. There were very few families compared to Utah (or just a suburb anywhere) and probably even fewer members of the church. I feel as though we would be in a minute minority in a big city. That could be a great experience... I dunno.

3) The Golden Gate Bridge is Awe-Inspiring! We biked across it twice, and although it was windy, and foggy, it was coo.

4) In probably the most "liberal" city in America, I felt as though there was a collective conciousness and intelligence in current affairs. The citizens are very active in their government, and because of that San Fran is a GREAT place. For the most part it is clean, beautiful, interesting, and well-planned (not to mention extremely expensive). I wish Salt Lake City had the public works and planning that San Francisco has.

5) Cold, and windy most of the time there. Fog sucks! I appreciate our weather here a lot more.

6) I'm glad to be back home.

Weddings

These two days have been really tough to do with Syd. Man oh man. Kids complicate things.

The OC Finale

To any of you OC fans.. did you see the finale? I am pissed.

Boo to mega corporations

From Common Dreams:

"The Supreme Court threw out a taxpayers' lawsuit Monday that challenged the widespread practice of states giving big tax breaks [to corporations] to lure manufacturers to build new plants within their borders. The justices did not decide whether these tax breaks unconstitutionally discriminated in favor of certain businesses. Instead, the court ruled that taxpayers did not have standing in federal court to challenge them in the first place."

So when do the people have legal standing? Certainly not in the states where nuclear testing is about to go down, as Soldier reported. And maybe that’s what’s wrong with the Constitution: not having adequate “rights” to political power. If all we can accomplish is through grassroots movements, then the going will certainly be tough.

Another word on corporations: I read an editorial about the big box stores (I won't name any names) taking over the landscape of this country. Gone are the quaint mom-and-pop establishments whose structures provide character to our hometowns. Instead all we see are homogenized superstores whose facades are monolithic: massive, undifferentiated, cold, and devoid of the personality that made towns individual in years gone by.

And what do they accomplish? The making of a country of consumers, always wanting more more MORE, quick to dispose of what they have in favor of the latest and greatest. When will we ever be satisfied? When will we stop letting the manufacturers dictate our happiness and provide our satisfaction? I know I myself am very guilty of this crime, and guilt I do feel when my conscience catches up to me. If I'm going to be spending money, it should be on something more substantial, more lasting, or at least more sentimental or with more importance than a new pair of shoes added to the hundred I already own.

I apologize if this rant is unorganized. But take it as it is: Just a rant.

Paintball

In an effort to remember those that have passed away how about a memorial day paintball game?
who's up for it?

Things That Must Go Today

When you have on capri pants or shorts and someone says:
-What do we not pay you enough to buy all of your pants.
-When is the flood coming?

When you have on camoflauge and they say:
-I couldnt see you there.
-Where are your legs.

Hello dont you think those sayings are kinda tired.

3 Years and Kicking!

Scott and I are officially 3 years today! Happy Anniversary! Love you!

Trying to get a game for this weekend.

We are trying to get a game of Ultimate Frisbee going this Saturday. That would be the 20th. It's easy to play and everyone that can throw a frisbee is welcome to play. I was thinking that most of you might have a easier time if we hosted it in the park in SoJo (South Jordan). The one right by most of our parents houses. That way if you need to drop the kids off you can. Plus that park seems to always be nearly deserted. We are thinking sometime around 4 that afternoon. If your interested just let me or Windy know. If some of you have conflicts that we can work around we will try. I was thinking afterwards we could go get some dinner together. If it goes down it goes down, and if it doesn't let us try some other time.

Just Curious if anything.....

I'm curious to know if anyone would want to get together sometime and play a sport? Maybe some ultimate frisbee, or something like that. Get everyone involved. I hate going to workout, and I thought this may be a fun way for some of us to get together, and get into shape. Any thoughts will do. Or a vote of yeah, or nay. Just curious.

San Fran and Sam

So, Amber and I have been up for 17 hours straight since we flew out of Salt Lake at 6:30 in the morning. We have walked everywhere in San Francisco, went to a Giants game, rode the cable cars, and ate at GREAT restaurants. When you come to a city like San Francisco you realize how crappy Salt Lake is. The architecture, art, and public works in this city are amazing! We can't wait to spend 5 more days here. We'll try to update more, and maybe some pictures. We have to use the lobby computer in our hotel, so it might not be possible. Anyway, we're heading to Alcatraz, and Fisherman's Wharf tomorrow. Have fun slaving in SLC. Mwwaaaahahahaha.